Tasmanian basketball blitz to deliver coaching clinics and boost in economy

Tasmania has secured at least 14 NBL pre-season games and two WNBL regular season matches providing opportunities for community engagement, coaching clinics and a boost to the Tasmanian economy.

The NBL Blitz will see six teams (Adelaide 36ers, Brisbane Bullets, Cairns Taipans, New Zealand Breakers, Perth Wildcats and Tasmania JackJumpers) based in Tasmania to play at least 14 pre-season matches across the North, North-West and South of the State in November 2021, and will provide an opportunity for teams to engage in activities and coaching clinics with communities in all three regions. The Blitz will be free of charge for Tasmanian residents.

The Blitz will conclude with a finals series at MyState Bank Arena, with all games to be streamed or broadcast across Australia.

Basketball Tasmania Chief Executive, Chris McCoy noted “The NBL Blitz was a fantastic success for our state a few years ago. Not only did the public witness an outstanding quality of games and entertainment, we were also very pleased with all the community engagement, school visits, coaching courses and referee education that occurred.”

The Blitz will be free of charge for Tasmanian residents and is anticipated to generate more than 4,000 bed nights and a significant return to the Tasmanian economy.

The 2021-22 NBL Season Media Launch will also be held in Tasmania and will include the showcasing and the official opening of the MyState Bank Arena.

Tasmanian Minister for Sport and Recreation, Jane Howlett advised “negotiations are currently underway for the New Zealand Breakers to potentially call Tasmania home for the beginning of the 2021-22 NBL season.

“Women’s basketball is also set to benefit, with two WNBL regular season matches to be played between the Bendigo Spirit and the Southside Flyers between January and March 2022.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to highlight the pathway for women and girls in basketball and support the aims for Tasmania to have its own team in the WNBL in the coming years.”

The two WNBL teams will work with Tasmania’s NBL1 women’s teams, the Hobart Chargers and Launceston Tornadoes, to deliver junior basketball clinics for aspiring young female basketballers.

The NBL and WNBL will work closely with Public Health in Tasmania to ensure that the appropriate protocols are in place for teams to stay, train and play in the State in a COVID safe way to keep Tasmanians free from the risk of COVID-19.

Image: Pictured at the announcement are Simon Brookhouse (JackJumpers CEO), Chris McCoy (BTAS CEO), Jack, Hon. Jane Howlett (Sports Minister) and Brett McKay (Hobart Chargers Chair) courtesy Basketball Tasmania